The focus of my articles has mainly been internet marketing and search engine optimization. However, I stray every now and then. This is one of those times.

I planned an exciting trip for the memorial day holiday> It was my sole purpose to drive as far out of cell phone range, and out of the confines of a wiFi connection. I scoured the net looking for places to go. I remembered a little place that I saw during a past visit to Cooks Forest, It was Black Bear Cabins. I searched the web for awhile looking for “cabins in cooks forest”, “lodging cooks forest”, the most consistent result was a directory of businesses in the Cooks Forest are. I stumbled upon (not the social bookmark) a listing of camp grounds and Black Bear Cabins was amongst the list. By this time, it was late march and as usual I was planning last minute. I must have called 6-7 campgrounds, all were booked solid. There was a couple that I left messages with and Black Bear Cabins was one of them. It must have been a week or so and things were beginning to look grim, no call backs and no options. I was sitting reading one night after dinner when the phone rang, “do you still need a cabin”, the voice questioned. [Read more →]

Tags: Punch Lines by mike
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Internet Consulting

              In an ever changing digital frontier, a clear definition of strategy is needed to successfully compete for national and international online brand awareness. The ability to show a positive ROI, and maintain a dominant web presence is often in conflict. A clear web marketing strategy will segregate and balance this conflict.  In addition, to strategy, collaboration and communication will be essential components to the preservation of a competitive web presence.

There will be many defining factors and tools used to create and maintain a strategic online marketing campaign. The proper distribution of money and time will yield a wealth of branding opportunity. Both online and offline marketing efforts need to work together. The unification of both marketing channels will maximize their conventional outcome, as well as indentify new consumer engagement points.

Analytics will be a fundamental metric. The interpretation of these metrics will also be important to the consistency of brand. Defining goals and implementing the proper measurement tools needed to generate qualified traffic, will directly affect your average cost-per-lead (CPL). The quantification of relevant metrics, supported by an immediate response to industry and consumer demand, governs our decisions.

A vigorous regiment of gauges and analytics developed to prospect and discover vulnerabilities and strengths. The key factors being evaluated will be:

Ø  SEO - (Linking Strategy, Web Content Optimization, Code & Structure Optimization). Generation of current (keyword/phrase) ranking reports in foreign and domestic markets. Competitors online market analysis.

Ø  Pay-Per-Click- (conversion word/phrase ID, search engine ID, bid management, cost-per-click, cost-per-lead)

Ø  Emerging Technology- (word of mouth marketing, corporate blogging, social media, podcasting, interactive media)

Ø  Alternative Internet- (email, banners, pop-ups)

Ø  Online Business Plan- (identify revenue streams, define targets related to markets and product groups)

Ø  Engagement Points- (search engines, natural/organic listings, paid inclusion, paid listings, radio-to-web, television-to-web, mobile, social media)

 A strategic solution and detailed implementation schedule will be developed. Embracing “the right tool for the right job” mentality supports growth and controls frivolous spending based on speculative results. Proper placement online based on conversion, will statistically provide a more qualified lead.  A solid online marketing strategy isn’t limited to sales, information and brand awareness in addition to consumer engagement, will position your company to dominate today’s internet market place and thrive in the future Web 3.0 environment.

Tags: Punch Lines by mike
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The title Search Engine Marketer is being thrown around like, a chihuahua at Michael Vick’s house. There is no set of standards by which a Search Engine Marketer is judged. There isn’t much in the way of learning material, that is up-to-date, to be considered a valuable resource or valid classes that offer some insight into the world of Search Engine Marketing.  However, there is a plethora of know-it-all’s polluting the minds of the vulnerable, with corporate biased  Search Marketing pipe dreams.

There is hope. Throughout the cyber universe lie an army of well educated, experienced Search Engine Marketers. Like needles in a hay-stack, they are right in front of your eyes. On the bus next to you, in a cab with you or maybe in your office. The point is that you can go to the phonebook and turn to the marketing page and find a marketing agency. Then you will need to flip to a web design section and pluck out a web design team and finally you will need a business consultant, to help recognize new revenue streams generated from the web. The aforementioned specialists’ have the combined skill set(s) needed to be a successful Internet Marketing Consultant.

Look for these skills from a Internet Marketing Consultant: [Read more →]